Dante POV
I haven't heard a damn thing from my little storm.
Ethan says she hasn't left her apartment since that trip to the police station.
No calls. No texts. No fury-filled voicemail. Nothing.
Just... silence.
And that silence is louder than a gunshot. Even for me.
Alex is still locked up. I didn't bother tying him; there's no way he's escaping. The room he's in has a private bathroom, a comfortable bed, and enough security outside to keep him in line. I might not like the guy, but Raven would never forgive me if I killed him.
Ten hours after I dumped him there, he finally wakes up. I stroll in, calm and unbothered, and watch him take a few seconds to remember what happened. Then he completely loses it.
> "What the fuck do you want?! You couldn't pick another day for your kidnapping stunt? You had to do it on my girlfriend's birthday-the day I proposed?! You're sick, man! She's pregnant, you psycho! The shock could make her lose the baby, you motherfucker!"
He's pacing, ranting like a madman. I lean against the wall, bored.
Fifteen minutes later, he finally runs out of steam.
> "What do you want? Money? I'm not rich, so you've got the wrong guy."
I tilt my head, a bored look on my face. "I warned you."
He frowns. "What warning? I don't even know you."
I stalk closer, slow and deliberate. "Not you. Her. I warned her to stay away from you. And instead of listening, you two got closer."
Recognition flashes across his face like lightning. His eyes widen.
> "You. You're the scum stalking Raven."
He lunges at me, teeth bared like a rabid dog. Before he can land a single hit, I slam a boot into his chest, sending him flying back onto the bed.
I stalk over him, voice cold as steel.
"Let's make one thing clear. I'm the boss here. And you're in a very dangerous situation. You piss me off, I'll hurt you. Bad. I didn't want to before-only because I don't want Raven mad at me."
My tone makes him stiffen. I drag a chair over, sit down, and gesture at the seat opposite me.
"Sit."
He hesitates but obeys, a scowl etched on his face.
"I'm going to ask questions. You're going to answer."
He snorts. "I'm not telling you shit, freak."
Patience thins. I grit my teeth. "Just tell me."
"No." His voice is sharp, venomous. "I'm not telling a creep like you anything about Raven. She'll find me. She'll burn this whole fucking city down to get me back. And when she does, your world will crash."
His words are confident, but I'm not buying it. "Bullshit." I lean forward. "Tell me your relationship with Raven. Why she trusts you. I want every detail-her favorite color, food, movie... everything."
Alex smirks, smug as hell. "No."
Rage flashes hot in my veins. I pull out a knife, twirling it between my fingers, already picturing stabbing him-
Then my burner phone buzzes.
The one I only use to text my little storm.
I grab it fast. My heart pounds, expecting her.
Instead, a single message lights the screen:
> "Release Alex, or face my wrath. Touch a single hair on his head, and I'll make sure your burns. I'll put you behind bars for a long, long time."
Then the phone dies. Black screen. Dead weight in my palm.
I try to power it back on. Nothing.
I shove the phone back into my pocket, flip Alex off, and lock the door on my way out. The guards bow as I pass, but I don't acknowledge them.
By the time I'm straddling my bike, I'm already calling Luca.
"Get Justin. Now."
Minutes later, I'm back at the mansion. Justin's waiting. I toss him the phone, tell him what happened. Ten minutes later, he shakes his head.
"It's hacked, boss. Whoever did this planted a virus-killed it dead. Can't bring it back."
"You told me burners can't be hacked or tracked."
He shrugs. "Usually, yeah. But this... this was a pro. High-level skills. Might've taken time, but they cracked it. And, uh... it could've been used to track you."
My jaw tightens.
Justin swallows. "Whoever did this? They're dangerous. Boss, you should dispose of the phone. Immediately."
I nod once.
Justin leaves. Luca stays, leaning on the doorframe with that damn smirk.
"What'd you do now?"
"Nothing."
"Really? 'Cause you're back with a hacked burner."
I shrug. "Nothing... specific. Just kidnapped Raven's friend, that's all."
Luca stares at me like I've grown another head.
"And why would you do that?"
"Her problem," I mutter. "Dispose of the phone."
I hand him the dead device, pour myself a glass of scotch, and take a slow sip.
"Fine," Luca says, "but I'm checking on the guy."
---
When I get back to the house, Alex is in the living room, pacing like a caged tiger and annoying the guards. He spots me and scoffs.
"Bastard."
He storms over and jabs a finger into my chest.
"Why bring me here? At least torture me or something! You kidnapped me for nothing?"
I smirk. "First, you're on my kill list. Second, I need information about Raven. I watch her every move, but there's still so much I don't know. And I know you won't make this easy."
Luca strolls in behind me, hands in his pockets.
"If you really wanted to scare him, Dante, you should've thrown him in the cellar. Why go soft?"
Alex spins around, recognition hitting him like a slap.
"Y-You're... Luca Ackerman. The CEO. The owner of Vortex Systems. Raven's boss. Why are you with this psycho?"
Luca shrugs casually. "This bastard, as you called him, is my friend."
Alex laughs, a wild, humorless sound.
"I can't wait to tell Raven. She's going to quit your shitty company and leave you both in the dust."
Luca's smile vanishes. His eyes go cold.
"That's if you make it out alive. I'm not him-I don't need a reason to kill you."
He circles Alex like a wolf stalking prey.
"And if you think I'd hesitate to shut your mouth before you run it, think again."
Alex goes pale.
Just then Luca phone bussed and he picked it up and after ending the call he said we are surrounded .
---